Graveside services for Wilton Russell Koehler, 87, Baldwin City, will be 2 p.m. Monday at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Koehler died Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at Baldwin Healthcare & Rehabilitation.
He was born May 29, 1930, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Russell and Elizabeth Foley Koehler. He grew up in Camas, Washington, where he graduated high school, worked at a paper mill, and as a logger, before entering the United States Air Force.
Mr. Koehler enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 and was discharged in 1954 as a Private First Class. He earned a National Defense Metal and a Good Conduct Metal.
After his military career he worked at Reuter Organ Company in Lawrence for 22 years. He later worked as a carpenter for the Lawrence School District until his retirement. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and having projects to work on.
He married Katherine A. Wingert in Lawrence, in 1953. They celebrated 64 years together. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include sons, Gary Koehler and wife Kandie of Baldwin City, Kansas, Ricky Koehler and wife Shari of Lawrence, Kansas; grandchildren, Dustin, Gerie, Garrett, Brett; and a great grandson, Fox.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Wayne Koehler of Bremerton, Washington; and a sister, Carolyn Scholl of Bakersfield, California.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association, sent in care of the funeral home.
